Rajshahi, Jan 11 (V7N) - Authorities have arrested multiple individuals across several districts in Bangladesh for allegedly attempting to manipulate the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment examination by promising to provide exam question papers.

In Rajshahi, six people were apprehended late Thursday night by separate teams from the Detective Branch (DB) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) and Boalia Police Station from the Upashahar and Malopara areas. The arrested include Md. Al Mamun (42) and Anjuara Khatun (25) from Maklahaat village, Niamatpur Upazila, Rajshahi; Raihan Kabir (30) from Dawi village, Manda Upazila; Noyon Ali (27) from Hatkalupara, Atrai Upazila; Zulfikar Ali (40) from Chok Sukhda, Naogaon Sadar; and Mahbub Alam (46) from Nonavita, Mohanpur Upazila, Rajshahi.

According to an RMP press release on Friday afternoon, the arrests coincided with the primary teacher recruitment exam held that day. The suspects allegedly posed as high-ranking government officials to deceive candidates, offering to supply question papers in exchange for signed blank checks, stamped documents, and photocopies of candidates’ admit cards and national ID cards. Authorities recovered 12 signed blank checks, 21 stamps, and seven mobile phones from the suspects. Raihan Kabir is currently receiving medical treatment, while the rest will be presented to the court for remand.

In Naogaon, a joint operation by the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and local police led to the arrest of nine individuals, including two members of a question paper leak ring. The operation, conducted early Friday at Nil Sagar Hotel and Porsha Rest House, resulted in the seizure of 11 mobile phones, a money bag, and BDT 37,948 in cash. Among those detained were six candidates, one guardian, and two alleged ring members: Mamunur Rashid (41) from Shivpur, Patnitola Upazila, and Ahsan Habib (40) from Gioli, Mahadebpur Upazila.

In Thakurgaon, two candidates, Ripa Akter and Nordeb Chandra, were apprehended for using electronic devices to gain an unfair advantage during the exam at the Collectorate Public School and College and Government Polytechnic Institute exam centers.

Meanwhile, in Kurigram’s Nageshwari Upazila, police arrested 11 individuals linked to a fraud ring targeting the primary teacher recruitment exam, including Minarul Islam, the joint convener of the Upazila Volunteer Party and potential local BNP candidate. Electronic devices were seized from a house near the exam center, allegedly used to collect and distribute exam answers. Other arrested include Abdul Hamid’s son Belal Hossain, Anwar Hossain, Minarul Islam, Shahajamal, Babu Islam, Jannatul Naeem Mitu, Abdul Latif, Sharifuzzaman, Himel Mahmud, Chamili Akter, and Mahabub Khan.

Following these incidents, authorities increased security at the affected exam centers to ensure candidates’ safety and prevent panic. The arrests have sparked widespread discussion among local communities and political circles, although no official statements have been released by the suspects or their affiliated political parties.

END/MRA/SMA/